The salary you need to afford the new JMC Vigus bakkie in South Africa

You will need to earn at least R43,205 per month to afford the new JMC Vigus on a finance plan, according to a calculation by TopAuto.

JMC relaunched in South Africa with the old Vigus bakkie, but this roster was recently bolstered by the launch of the new double cab models.

The new Vigus is available in three specifications with prices ranging from R399,900 to R499,900, making it one of the most affordable five-seater pickups in South Africa.

The base model is rear-wheel-drive and uses a six-speed manual transmission, while the mid-range option trades the manual for an eight-speed automatic.

Anyone looking for a 4×4 will then need to upgrade to the top-end version.

Regardless of which option you choose, the Vigus is powered by a 2.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine, which generates 123kW and 430Nm.

It can haul 915kg in the load bed, and tow up to 1,650kg.

Equipment on the JMC includes 17-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, adjustable front seats, automatic air conditioning, a multifunction steering wheel, a 9-inch digital driver display, and a 12.8-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

It also comes standard with cruise control, tyre pressure monitoring, and rear parking sensors, and the top-spec model adds a rearview camera, electronic stability control, hill assist, and hill descent control.

Each purchase includes a 5-year/200,000km warranty and a 4-year/65,000km service plan.

What you need to earn

We can use the following formula to work out the monthly payments on the new JMC:

• Car price – R399,900/R499,900
• Payment term – 60 terms (5 years)
• Interest – 10.25%
• Deposit – 0%
• Balloon – No balloon payment
• Extras – No optional extras

According to this, you’ll need to pay at least R8,641 per month for the manual cab, and up to R10,778 per month for the automatic 4×4.

Financial experts then recommend that you do not spend more than 20% of your gross monthly salary on vehicle payments.

This means you’ll need to earn anywhere from R43,205 per month to R53,890 per month to afford the bakkie on a finance plan.

Note that this figure does not account for insurance, fuel, and maintenance, which must all be factored into your budget.